SHOULD THE YANKEES TAKE A CHANCE WITH JACOB DEGROM?

The winter meetings are almost here! That means the market is going to start heating up, and the Yankees are now tied to two of the biggest names in the free agent market. That makes my little hot stove rumor loving heart extra happy. 

The Yankees have made Aaron Judge their top priority, and also add more pitching depth. So while we all sit back and wait on Judge, why not take a flyer out on Jacob deGrom? The Yankees have requested medical records and while that's commonplace in baseball, it will give the Yankees a lot more information so they can decide if the Yankees want to take a gamble on deGrom.

Other teams are doing the same thing and if deGrom is healthy then he could be a dynamite addition to any pitching staff which is why the Braves, Rangers and the Rays are all interested. There is some risk with deGrom, he has an extensive injury history throughout his career. His most recent injury forced him to miss the end of the 2021 season and most of this past season but when he is healthy he is one of the best pitchers in the game. If he is healthy, he's worth a long look.

The Mets know everything there is to know about deGrom, and they are very interested in keeping him in the rotation. The Mets feel confident because they believe they will have the most competitive offer. Other teams will look at deGrom as a real risk, and the Mets are rumored to be "comfortable" offering him a max three year deal, where as other teams are looking at two years. If the Mets have all of the intel on his medicals and are willing to go three years then it makes sense for the Yankees to engage.

I admit, deGrom does come with some risk and the idea of a multi year deal can be a little frightening. It gives me some Corey Kluber flashbacks but if healthy....can't you just imagine a rotation of Gerrit Cole, deGrom, and Nestor Cortes? That trio makes me salivate. THAT should excite every single Yankees fan.

Is this risky? Sure, but it's deGrom....how do you just say NO and walk away to that kind of talent?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj